Page 70 of Girl Betrayed

Dana stormed out of the precinct, leaving the Alchemist to convey the line she’d drawn—an abyss, challenging all who’d attempt to cross.

55

It wasall Claire could do not to abandon Jake mid-sentence, but that would make her look even more suspicious. She couldn’t believe she’d slipped up. Mentioning the decapitation was a mistake. One Jake hadn’t missed.

She’d seen the change. The slightest narrowing of his sharp blue gaze. The ever so slight tilt of his head, the way his voice tightened, choosing each word more carefully than before.

There were benefits to knowing someone as well as she knew Jake, and Claire hated that she was using it against him. But she knew she wouldn’t have another chance.

That’s why she hadn’t wasted time. Why she didn’t look back.

She’d simply pulled on a black sweatshirt and baseball hat before letting muscle memory guide her soundlessly out into the night. Now, miles away from the warmth and safety of Dana’s home, Claire found herself wishing she’d had another alternative. But Betty was quick to remind her, they were out of options.

Claire looked at the clock on the wall of the coffee shop. It matched the time on her phone. Which confirmed that Betty was late. Claire took another sip of her coffee, but it did nothing to keep the chill from creeping up her spine. Something was wrong.

Betty knew the stakes, and still she’d insisted Claire meet her here. For her not to show up … Claire didn’t like to think about what could be preventing her friend from making this meeting.

“Where are you?” Claire pressed send on the message, willing a response to appear.

The silence that answered was deafening. Everything inside Claire was telling her to leave. But it was too late. By now, Jake would’ve discovered she was gone. She’d broken his trust. It couldn’t be for nothing.

Claire finished her coffee, forcing herself to stay put. The only reason she’d come tonight was because of Max. If there was a chance she could help him, she would. She owed him that much. But as the minutes ticked by, she knew the window was closing.

Jake would send the calvary soon. Then Claire wouldn’t be able to help anyone.

56

I wait and I watch.I’m always watching. Always waiting. But it won’t be much longer. She’s in my sights now. This kill is so close I can almost taste it.

One kill closer to my revenge.

One kill closer to making them see me. The real me. Not just this skin which doesn’t fit. I can’t wait to take it off. I can’t wait to be myself again. Reborn. Renewed. Rewarded.

I inhale deeply, tasting the frosty air as I remind myself to be patient.

I’m so close now.

One kill closer.

One kill closer to her.

57

Anger rolledoff Dana in waves. She replayed the Alchemist’s condescending words as she drove through the quiet neighborhood of Georgetown student housing. She could navigate these streets in her sleep, which only gave her irritation more time to simmer.

Dana regretted letting Raynard get to her. She left without even telling Hartwell where she was going, partly because she didn’t exactly know. When she’d gotten in her car, she thought she was heading home, but with her mind elsewhere, she found she’d changed course, heading toward the Smithsonian.

Not too long ago, it would’ve seemed like the most natural thing in the world. But it had been a while since her office had felt like a sanctuary. She paused at the light on 10th and E street, wondering if she should follow whatever instinct led her this way, or turn back toward home. Toward the people who were counting on her.

As if sensing her dilemma, Jake’s name flashed across Dana’s caller ID. She accepted the incoming call despite knowing she didn’t have the answers he was calling for.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Just checking in,” he greeted. “How’s it going?”

“It’s been a long night.”

“Always are.”